Flexible car roof



Dec. 29, 1936. K, J. ToBlN FLEXIBLE CARRooF Filed April 5, 1934 3Sheets-Sheet;

VENTO/2 KENNETH J 75m/v @yg K. J. TOBIN FLEXIBLE GAR RooF Dec. 29, 1936.

` 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 5, 1934 @Y mw NY NN nm K! au .11. 4 i AMA wm l um mw. Nm m IMM W\ m WY niq Dec. 29, 1936.

K. J. TOBINY FLEXIBLE CAR ROOF Filed April 5, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 3JANE/v70@- KENNETH J 755m/ Patented Dec. 29, 1936 UNITE STATES PATENTOFFICE FLEXIBLE CAR ROOF Kenneth J. Tobin,

Chicago, Ill.,

assignor, by

of Ohio Application April 5, 1934, Serial N0. 719,088

S Claims.

This invention relates to flexible car roofs.

It is an object cf this invention to provide a flexible car roof Whichshall be lighter in weight, involve a substantial reduction in cost andeffect a savings in parts and cost of the roof substructure than thoseflexible roofs now in general use upon railway freight cars.

A further object is to provide a flexible jointless car roof.

A further object is to provide a flexible car roof utilizing a fabricouter covering.

A further object is to provide a flexible car roof capable of rapidrepair in situ.

A further object is to provide a flexible car roof having a ireproofnonmetallic outer covering.

A further object is to provide a flexible car roof having a reproof andweatherproof nonmetallic outer covering.

A further object is to provide a flexible car roof which shallpractically eliminate condensation upon the inside of the roof withoutthe necessity of inside insulation therefor.

A further object is to provide a exible car roof which shall presentenhanced dust, Weatherproof and wearing qualities.

A further object is to provide a flexible car roof which can readily beapplied over an existing roof.

A further object is to provide a exible car roof which permits of asubstantial reduction in the numbers of parts to be carried in stock.

A further object is to provide a running board for railway freight carroofs which shall be strong, easily applicable, flreproof, and whichshall comprise a metallic base and plastic filler having a roughenedouter surface.

Other objects of the invention will become clear as the descriptionthereof proceeds.

In the drawings forming part of this specication Figure 1 is a brokenplan view of a car roof embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is a horizontal section taken on line 2--2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2, showing a portion of the roofand running board construction on an enlarged scale;

Figure 4 is a partial vertical section taken on line 4-4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a partial horizontal section taken on line 5 5 of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a horizontal section similar to Figure 4 through theopposite end of the car roof and framing structure;

(Cl. 10S-5) Figure '7 is a fragmentary vertical section taken on line '1-'l of Figure 2;

Figure 8 is a horizontal section similar to Figure 2 of a portion of theroof adjacent the eaves on an enlarged scale;

Figure 9 is a View similar to Figure 8 showing a modified form of sideplate; and

Figure 10 is a vertical section-taken on line I0-IIJ of Figure 2.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, applicants novel car roof isdesignated in its entirety by the reference numeral Ill. A pair of sideplates I I and I2 are shown disposed at the eaves of the roof. Eachofthese side plates is substantially Z shaped in section as indicated inFigures 2 and 8 of the drawings. The side plates are soY disposed thatone flange I3 thereof extends horizontally and inwardly relative to theroof while the other flange I4 extends horizontally and outwardlyrelative thereto. The web I5 is disposed vertically.

A plurality of longitudinally spacedV carlines I6 extend from side plateto side plate, as clearly shown in Figure 1 of the drawings, and havetheir ends secured to the inwardly extending anges I3 of said sideplates. Each of the carlines is preferably of substantially channelshaped section and comprises a web I'I (see Figure '7) from which thesides I8 and I9 depend. Each of these sides is bent in oppositedirections in order to provide flanges 20 and 2I. Transversely spacedpurlins 22 extend from end to end of the roof and between the carlines.These purlins are secured to the flanges 20 and 2| of the carlines as bymeans of bolts 23. To permit such securement the purlins are formed withshoulders 24 and 25 Fig. 2 through which the securing bolts 23 extend.The upper surface of the purlins, as clearly shown in Figure 7 of thedrawings, is alined with the upper surface of the webs I1 of thecarlines.

One form of end construction is illustrated in Figure 4 of the drawings.This construction is utilized where it is desired to employ doors at theend of a car. The construction embodies a substantially channel shapedend plate 26 whichv comprises the spaced vertically depending legs 21and 28 connected by means of a web 29. The outwardly disposed leg 21 hassecured thereto a. Z shaped framing member 30, one leg 3| of which 50 isdisposed vertically and serves as a framing member for a door (notshown) A wooden member 32 is secured to the outer face o-f the verticalleg 21 which, in addition, carries an angular plate 33 adapted toshedWater outwardly of the end 55 fio door. A cap member 34 secured at oneend to the wooden member 32 is utilized in connection with the end plate26. The cap member is provided with a vertically depending leg 35, thelower end of which is bent so as to constitute a flange 36. The inwardlydisposed vertical leg 28 of the end plate is bent inwardly to provide aflange 31 to which a substantially Z shaped bracket member 38 issecured. The adjacent ends of the purlins 22 are adapted to be supportedupon the bracket 38 and to be secured thereto as by means of bolts 39.

Where a solid end is employed in a railway freight car the constructionillustrated in Figure 6 of the drawings may be utilized. It is to beunderstood that where both ends of a railway freight car utilize solidends the construction shown in Figure 6 may be utilized at both suchends. In the solid end illustrated an end plate 40 is employed. At itsupper margin the plate is bent inwardly so as to constitute a flange 4lto which a substantially Z shaped bracket member 42 is secured. Thisbracket member is adapted to support the adjacent ends of the purlins 22which are secured to said bracket member as by means of bolts 43.

The structures above described may be deemed to constitute a frame uponwhich applicants novel roof construction is laid. For this purpose apair of spaced angular members 44 and 45 preferably L shaped in section,are secured to the webs of the carlines I6 and extend substantiallybetween the end structures above described. Figure 2 of the drawingsillustrates approximately one-half of the horizontal section of the roofso that it will be apparent that in the preferred construction a pair ofangle members 44 and 45 is secured on each side of the longitudinalcenter line of the roof. It is to be understood, however, that angularmembers may be secured adjacent the eaves only of the roof framingstructure. Between the angle members 44 and 45 a reticulated metallicbase 46 is disposed. This base, as clearly shown in Figures l, 2', 4 and6, extends continuously between the angular members 44 and 45 and theend structures. In its application to the framing construction thereticulated metallic base is placed under tension and secured toV theupstanding legs 41 and 48 of the angular members 44 and 45. A preferredform of securement of said base to the angular members utilizes spacedslots 49 provided in the upstanding legs 41 and 48 of the angle members.The bonds at one side of the reticulated metallic base formed by thestrands of wire of which said base is constituted are disposed withinthe spaced slots 49 of the upstanding leg 48 of the angular member 45,said bonds being then bent in opposite directions to provide engagingprongs 50 in order to fasten the corresponding side of the base toI theupstanding leg 48. To maintain this securement the upstanding legmay bedeformed as indicated at 5l. The metallic base 4B is then tensioned andthe bonds at the opposite side of said base engaged in slots formed in`the upstanding leg 41 of the angle member 44 whereupon portions of saidbonds are bent in opposite directions in order to fasten said base tothe angle member 44. Disengagement from the angle member 44' isprevented by the deformation of the upstanding leg 41, as clearlyindicatedin Figure 8 of the drawings. It will' be apparent from theforegoing that the reticulated metallic base on each side of thelongitudinal center line of the roof is securely fastened to the roofframe under tension. It will also be apparent that the same proceduremay be; followed where the metallic base extends. continuously fromeaves to eaves of the roof. At each of the end constructions abovedescribed the metallic base is fastened by means of bars 52 and 53 whichare disposed within the loops provided by the reticulated metallic base,as clearly shown in Figure 5 of the drawings. At the end constructionshown in Figure i of the drawings the bar 52 is fastened to the inwardlydirected flange 3l of the end plate 25 by means of bolts 5d which extendpreferably through a wooden ller member 55. At the end structure shownin Figure 6 of the drawings. the bar 53 is fastened to file inwardlydirected flange 4| of the end pl e 42'! by means of bolts 56 whichextend preferably through a wooden filler 51 disposed upon said inwardlydirected flange.

The reticulated metallic base being placed under initial tension andsecured to the roof frame adds materially to the rigidity of the roofand thus permits the elimination of substantially half the carlinesheretofore used in exible railway roc-fs. In roofs of this type,standard practice employs 13 carlines in cars having an inside lengt-hof 45o" whereas in applicants construction substantially 'l carlines aresufficient. By his invention applicant obtains a reduction in the weightof the car roof and a reduction in cost as well, in addition to theattainment of the objects heretofore enumerated.

Upon the above described base a flexible covering 58 is disposed, saidcovering being preferably seamless and of such extent as to completelycover the base from eaves to eaves and end to end. The flexible coveringutilized is preferably a rubberized fabric which permits flexing of saidfabric in response to the weaving and racking of the car and which isweatherproof. In its application the covering 58 is secured to the eavesand the ends of the roof structure under tension. This tension may beapplied mechanically during the securement of said covering although itis contemplated and preferred that the fabric be placed under tension ashereinafter described.

With reference to Figures 2 and 8 of the drawings there is illustratedone mode of securement of the fabric to the eaves. In the accomplishmentof this securement the fabric is extended downwardly so as to overliethe Vertical web l5 of each of the side plates ll and I2. The fabric isextended downwardly over a filler member 59 preferably of wood securedto the inwardly directed flange I3 of the side plates. A plate memberE!) provided with a rounded edge 6| is disposed upon the margin of thedownwardly extending portion of the fabric so as to lie upon the underface of said fabric with the rounded edge thereof remote from theadjacent edge of the fabric. Bolts such as 62 are then extended throughalined openings provided in said margin of the fabric and said platewhereupon said plate and fabric are folded upwardly so that the fabricis bent around the rounded edge of the plate @d and the heads S3 of thebolts are disposed between the fabric and the plate. The bolts are thenextended through openings provided in the vertical web of each of theside plates Il and l2 and nuts applied to the ends thereof in order tosecurely fasten the depending portion of the fabric to the side plates.It will be apparent that with this mode of securement of the fabric tothe side plates the heads of the bolts will be protected.

At the end structure shown in Figure 4 of the drawings the fabric isbent upwardly as indicated at 64 so as to lie;against the vertical leg28 of the end plate 26. A metallic plate 65 is placed against the'fabricwhereupon said plate and fabric may be fastened to the leg 28 of the endplate by means of rivets 66. The upturned portion of the fabric isprotected against the weather by means of the cap Ymember 34, the flange36 of which is disposed upon the fabric. v At the end constructionillustrated in Figure 6 of the drawings the fabric is extendeddownwardly around a wooden member 61 and secured to the end plate 40 bymeans of bolts 68 which extend through the wooden member 61 in themanner hereinabove described for the securement of said fabric to theeaves.

After the fabric has been applied as hereinabove indicated it ispreferred to paint said fabric with any well known or desired substancewhich shall have the capacity of shrinking said fabric tightly upon theroof. This shrinkage so imparted to the fabric places said fabric undertension so that the fabric is adapted to accommodate itself to thedistortions to which the roof may be subjected. The fabric may then bepainted with any well known or desired paint which has the property offorming a mineral deposit upon the fabric so as to render it lreproofor, if desired, a paint having this characteristic may be incorporatedin the substance spread upon the fabric in order to shrink it. Ifdesired the fabric may be coated in any other way in order to render itflreproof.

In Figure 9 of the drawings there is illustrated a modified form of sideplate which may be utilized with applicants roof above described. Thisside plate designated by the numeral 69 is substantially Z shaped insection and is disposed with its flanges 10 and 1| arranged verticallyand its connecting web 12 arranged horizontally. The upwardly extendingvertical flange 1I is deformed so as to present a flange 13 adapted tosupport the wooden member 14 about which the fabric is bent downwardly.The fabric of applicants roof may be secured to the vertical flange 1Iof the side plate 69 in the same manner utilized for the securement ofthe fabric to the side plates II and I2.

With the above described novel roof applicant prefers to utilize hisnovel running board structure. The running board is supported by meansof a plurality of saddles 15 which are bolted to the web I1 of thecarlines I6. In the construction shown in Figures 2, 3, and 10 of thedrawings wooden blocks 16 are preferably interposed between the saddlesand the carlines I6. The fabric 58 of the roof lies upon the woodenfiller blocks 16 and in order to protect this fabric against injury bythe saddles 15 a strip of canvas is disposed between said saddles andthe fabric. Each of the saddles 15 is preferably U shaped in section andprovided with the oppositely extending flanges 11 and 18 to which therunning board is bolted.

The running board comprises a metallic base 'i9 provided with upstandingside flanges 80 and 8! and upstanding end flanges 82 and 83. The runningboard thus presents a substantially pan shaped construction which may befilled with a plastic substance or any other desired substance suitablefor the purpose to provide a tread upon which trainmen may walk. It ispreferred to utilize asphalt, indicated at 84, the upper surface ofwhich is roughened as shown at 85. For this purpose slate or any otherdesired comminuted mineral particles imbedded in the asphalt may beutilized. A ridge pole is indicated at 86, said ridge pole being ofsubstantially U shaped section having oppositely directed flanges, oneof which is illustrated at 81 in Figure 2 of the drawings, secured tothe flanges 2B and 2l of each of the carlines I6. An'aperture 88 isformed in said ridge pole in order to expedite securement of the saddles15 to the carlines I6. v

It will be apparent that numerous changes and modifications in thedetails of the invention will be clear to those skilled in the art. Itis intended, therefore, that all such modifications and changes becomprehended within this invention, which is to be limited only by thescope of the claims appended hereto.

I claim:

1. A flexible railway freight car roof comprising transversely spacedlongitudinally extending angle members each arranged with one legupstanding, spaced slots formed in said leg, a reticulated metallic basehaving spaced prongs disposed in said slots, said prongs being bent intoengagement with said upstanding legs to fasten said base to said anglemembers, said base being fastened to said angle members under tensionand a nonmetallic Waterproof and fireproof tensioned fabric coveringupon said base.

2. A flexible railway freight car roof comprising transversely spacedlongitudinally extending angle members each arranged with one leg upvstanding, spaced slots formed in said leg, a tensioned reticulatedmetallic base having portions engaged in said slots, said legs beingdeformed to maintain said engagement and a nonmetallic waterproof andreproof tensioned fabric covering upon said base.

3. A flexible railway car roof comprising a frame including side and endplates defining the sides and ends of said frame and spaced transversecarlines extending between and secured to said side plates, areticulated metallic base supported upon said frame, means securing saidreticulated base to said frame at the sides thereof, means securing saidbase to said frame at the ends thereof, said base being drawn taut toplace said base under initial tension and a non-metallic flexiblecovering secured upon said metallic base. l

4. A flexible railway car roof comprising a frame including side and endplates dening the sides and ends of said frame and spaced transversecarlines substantially less in number than normally utilized in flexiblecar roofs extending between and secured to said side plates, areticulated metallic base supported upon said frame, means securing saidreticulated base to said frame at the sides thereof, means securing saidbase to said frame at the ends thereof, said base being drawn taut toplace said base under initial tension and a non-metallic flexiblecovering secured upon said metallic base.

5. A flexible railway car roof comprising a frame including side and endplates defining the sides and ends of said frame and spaced transversecarlines extending between and secured to said side plates,longitudinally extending members secured to said carlines adjacent theridge of said frame, metallic mesh extending from end to end of saidframe and between said members and the adjacent sides of said frame,means securing said mesh to said longitudinally extending members and tosaid frame at the ends and sides thereof,

said mesh being drawn taut to place said mesh 75 under initial tensionand a non-metallic fabric covering secured uponsaid mesh.

6. A flexible railway car roof comprising a frame including side andVend plates defining the sides and ends of said frame and spacedtransverse carlines substantially one-half in number of the carlinesnormally utilized in iiexible car roofs extending between and secured tosaid side plates, a reticulated metallic base supported upon said frame,means securing said reticulated base to said frame at the sides thereof,means securing said base to said frame at the ends thereof, said basebeing drawn taut to place said base under initial tension and anon-metallic exible covering secured upon said metallic base.

'7. A exible railway car roof comprising a frame including side and endplates dening the sides and ends of said frame and spaced transversecarlines extending between and secured to said 'side plates, areticulated metallic base supported upon said frame, means securing saidreticulated base to said frame at the sides thereof,

means securing said base-to` said frame at the ends thereof, saidbase'being drawn taut to place said base under initial tension and anon-metallic exible covering secured uponsaid metallic base, saidflexible covering being drawn taut to place it under initial tension.

8. A iiexible railway car roof comprising a frame including side and endplates defining the sides and.y ends of said frame and spaced transversecarlines extending between and secured to said side plates,longitudinally extending metallic members secured to said carlinesadjacent the ridge and the sides of said frame, metallic mesh extendingfrom end to end of said framc and between said longitudinally extendingmembers, means securing said mesh to` said members and said ends ofsaidy frame, said mesh being drawn taut to place said mesh under initialtension and la non-metallic flexible fabric covering disposed upon saidmesh and secured to said side and end 20s plates.

KENNETH J. TOBIN.

